PRIME road markings are on the way to Wales

Plans by the Welsh Government to trial new road markings on a major road in Powys to reduce collisions involving motorcyclists have been welcomed by the county council. The markings, called Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment (PRIMEs), are designed to help riders make better decisions when approaching bends.

They were developed by Transport Scotland, working with BEAR Scotland and Professor Alex Stedmon, thanks to funding from The Road Safety Trust. The PRIME markings have already transformed motorcycle safety in Scotland, where installation at 22 trial sites led to dramatic improvements in rider behaviour and safety on left-hand bends.

Powys County Council has welcomed the Welsh Government’s decision to trial the road markings at two sites following a formal request from the council earlier this year. The trials will take place on the A483 at Glascoed Hall, south of Newtown and near Lower Crochan Farm, north of Llanbadarn Fynydd.

The announcement comes in response to the council’s resolution in March, which called on the Welsh Government to support and fund the PRIMES initiative as part of a broader strategy to address what has been described as a “road safety crisis” in the county.